"Damn it! An adult with less backbone than two children!"
After the communication ended, Shinjo, who had been holding his breath throughout the entire exchange, finally exploded. His fist slammed down on the console with enough force to make the nearby equipment jump.
"Easy, Shinjo," Vice-Captain Kojiro said calmly, placing a steadying hand on his subordinate's shoulder. "Unfortunately, there's never a shortage of cowards in this world, regardless of the circumstances."
"Horii?" Captain Iruma turned expectantly toward their communications specialist.
"We've got them, Captain," Horii replied, his fingers still dancing across his keyboard as data streams flowed across his monitor. "The signal originated from an abandoned factory complex on the city's eastern outskirts. I managed to maintain the trace throughout Conan's entire conversation."
"Excellent work." Captain Iruma's expression grew determined. "GUTS, shift to Level One combat readiness. We move out as soon as Horii completes his countermeasure weapon."
"Yes, ma'am!" the team responded in unison.
"Rena," the captain continued, "please take Ai downstairs, get her cleaned up and into some proper clothes, then let her rest."
Now that they had both the aliens' location and their strategic objectives, there was no reason to keep a traumatized child in the command center during combat preparations.
"Right away, Captain," Rena replied, approaching Ai with a gentle smile. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you taken care of."
As they walked through the corridors toward Rena's quarters, the GUTS officer couldn't help but notice the numerous scratches and scrapes covering Ai's arms and legs.
"Those cuts must hurt," Rena said with genuine concern. "I can't believe such a sweet girl had to go through all that tonight."
"It's okay. I'm used to it," Ai replied automatically, then immediately realized her mistake when she saw Rena's shocked expression.
"Used to it?" Rena stopped walking entirely. "What could possibly make a six-year-old get used to injuries like this? Are your parents—"
"Oh! No, it's not like that," Ai said quickly, recognizing the dangerous territory she'd wandered into. "I meant from our Detective Boys activities at school. When Conan and I investigate cases, we sometimes have to search through bushes or climb over fences. Getting a few scratches is just part of the job."
"Detective Boys?" Rena's tone shifted from concern to curiosity.
"It's a club we formed at school," Ai explained, drawing on memories of the more mundane cases the real Detective Boys had handled. "We help other students find lost belongings, assist elderly neighbors in locating their missing pets—that sort of thing. Last week we spent three hours crawling through a hedge maze looking for Mrs. Tanaka's escaped cat."
She deliberately avoided mentioning the murders, bombings, and international conspiracies that typically surrounded their "investigations." How could she possibly explain that a group of elementary school children regularly encountered such dangerous situations?
"Well, that does sound like it would lead to a few scrapes," Rena said, visibly relaxing. "You and Conan must be very dedicated detectives to help so many people."
After helping Ai bathe and change into one of her own shirts—which hung like a dress on the small girl—Rena tucked her into the bed.
"Just rest here in my room, okay? I need to help with the mission preparations."
As Rena reached the door, Ai's voice stopped her.
"Rena, could you please take me back to the command center?"
"What?" Rena turned around, surprised by the request.
Ai's composed mask slipped slightly, revealing genuine worry beneath. "I'm concerned about Conan's safety. I'd like to watch the rescue operation, if that's okay."
The vulnerable expression on the child's face melted Rena's heart instantly. "Of course, sweetheart. Let's go back upstairs."
When they returned to the command center, the team was still anxiously waiting for Horii's research results. Banks of monitors showed technical schematics and energy readings as the scientist worked frantically in his lab.
"Captain," Rena announced, "Ai is very worried about Conan. I thought she might feel better if she could watch the rescue operation as it happens."
Captain Iruma studied the small girl for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Of course she can stay. Come here, Ai. You can sit right here with me, and if you have any questions about what's happening, just ask."
"Thank you," Ai said politely, allowing herself to be lifted into the captain's chair.
As Captain Iruma held her, Ai couldn't help but notice the woman's gentle but sad expression. There was something maternal in the way she handled the situation—almost as if she was thinking about her own child.
The hours passed quickly as Horii worked through the night. By dawn, he emerged from his laboratory carrying what looked like a modified energy rifle.
"Got it!" he announced triumphantly, holding up the weapon. "This should neutralize their shrinking beam and reverse its effects on anyone who's been captured."
Ai was quietly impressed by Horii's speed and ingenuity. If someone with his capabilities had been part of the Black Organization, it would have made their work infinitely more dangerous. Fortunately, not only was he completely unconnected to that criminal syndicate, he existed in an entirely different universe.
"Excellent work, Horii," Captain Iruma said. "All teams, prepare for deployment. Standard urban assault formation."
Within minutes, the GUTS team was equipped and moving out, leaving only Captain Iruma and Horii behind to coordinate from headquarters. Ai watched the large command center screens as live feeds showed the team approaching the abandoned factory complex.
As an elite unit under TPC's direct command, GUTS was primarily known for their advanced fighter aircraft. However, their ground combat training was equally impressive—each member had undergone special forces-level urban warfare instruction.
Under Vice-Captain Kojiro's tactical guidance, they split into coordinated assault teams. Shinjo and Daigo formed one unit, Kojiro and Horii comprised another, while Rena provided overwatch and communications support. The two-person teams approached the facility from different angles, each member specializing in either defensive or offensive operations.
The assault began smoothly. GUTS had the advantage of superior planning and Horii's countermeasure technology, allowing them to repel several waves of Crow People who attempted ambush attacks.
However, the Crow leader quickly realized that their shrinking weapons were being neutralized and immediately ordered a full evacuation. "Load all specimens into the transport pods!" he commanded his subordinates. "We leave for P43 immediately!"
Shinjo and Daigo's team reached the main storage area just as several Crow People were attempting to carry away the containment units holding their human captives.
After efficiently neutralizing the alien guards, Daigo quickly assessed the tactical situation. "Shinjo, I'll pursue the ones who escaped with the remaining prisoners. You get these people to safety."
Shinjo wanted to refuse—as GUTS's ace pilot, he hated the idea of letting his partner face unknown dangers alone. However, when he looked down at the containment units, he could clearly see two familiar faces through the transparent walls: Shigeru and Conan.
For the safety of the two children—especially his own cousin—Shinjo reluctantly accepted Daigo's plan.
"Be careful out there, Daigo," he said seriously, hefting one of the rescue pods. "I'll get Kojiro and the others to provide backup as soon as these people are secure."
"Don't worry about me," Daigo replied with a confident smile, patting Shinjo's shoulder before disappearing deeper into the facility in pursuit of the escaping Crow leader.